Website Redesign Basics

We deal with a lot of website redesigns on a monthly basis. We see just as many that do it themselves or hire someone only to see their rankings on the search engines drop because of basic items that are forgotten. In this article we'll cover some of the basic items to look for in a website redesign. Many will apply to new sites as well but for this article we are going to focus solely on website redesigns.

Pre-Design Checklist

Evaluate your current structure

Use Google Analytics (or any analytics program) to determine your most popular, and least popular, pages within your site

Use heat maps to determine core areas people are interacting with

Content Organization (site structure and URLs)

Make a 301 redirect map of where the pages "used to be" and where they will "now be" so that you can properly inform the search engines

Define the objectives and goals for the redesign (update the look-and-feel, lead generation, call of action, increased visitors, pages visited, sales generated (how are you going to track), etc.)

Analyze your competition and see what you feel is working for them and doesn't. If you have a good relationship with them it's always nice to chat about what they see as working for them and not (be prepared to share the same with them)

Define your audience (create personas of each type of person and make certain your site meets the needs of each of these types of visitors)

Develop a plan for updating your site

Redesign In-Process

Optimize your images

Setup all META tags (standard, structured, and social media tags)

Make certain to test on not just the desktop. Tablets and mobile are extremely important.

Pre-Launch Checklist Items

Determine whether your site will be www.domainName.com or just domainName.com

Do a double-check on your website security

Make certain all of the 301 redirects that were in the pre-design checklist are in-place and working

Verify that all links are working

On your test site test all of the pages against the W3C website compatibility checks

On your test site test all of your pages with Google's mobility and speed checker that everything is configured optimally

Conduct training on the CMS (Content Management System) and make certain everyone that needs to understands how to edit the site

Generate any site maps for the search engines that are needed

Is a 404-page setup for any missed links you didn't know about?

Post Launch Checklist

Make certain Google Analytics (or another analytics) tool is setup and working

Test every 301 redirect you have (even if it's in the thousands [or more])

Adjust any goals and rules within your Google Analytics account

Monitor your Google Analytics that all of the new pages are being properly indexed

Monitor your Google Analytics account for console and other errors that Google sees

Verify that all links are working

Monitor your logs for any 404-error page messages and make adjustments

Conclusion

Creating a website is a simple task with all of the free tools on the Internet. All you need to do is use your time and create. The value of hiring a professional company is you gain access to designers, content writers, and software developers focused on the success of your business while you are able to focus on your business. JM2 Webdesigners from Northwest Indiana would love to work with you in improving your business process. Our website redesign process goes well beyond the list here. You can reach us at , email at sales@jm2marketing.com, or through our online contact form here.

John Marx

John has been an entrepreneur and pusher of all things “normal”. He was brought up where a handshake is as good as any word and even more important than any legal speak. John believes in giving back and giving people more than they expect. This is the foundation and basis of JM2 Webdesigners & Marketing. The prices will shock you, the amount you get will shock you even more, and the skills his entire team brings will completely amaze. He has built a team of experts that are talented, young, and efficient. Each one has the characteristics of the company in wanting to see a small business grow and each one goes above, and beyond which makes John beyond proud of them.

So why is John considered the “Code Ninja”. It’s isn’t because people fear ninja’s (they should). They will fight until their last breath defending, achieving the mission, and helping (in this case small businesses). John believes in very surgical strikes to help a business grow using agile methods that change rapidly, in ways people don’t expect, and with a relentless passion to achieve greatness.

Valparaiso Web Design Mission Statement

JM2 Webdesigners & Marketing provides each client a custom developed solution to meet their business needs. Dynamic and creative solutions for marketing, web design, software development, social media, photography, video, and visual branding. Achieving excellence in an honest and ethical manner.